Archpriest John Scollard unexpectedly fell asleep in the Lord on the afternoon of Friday, May 31, 2024.
Born in Oakland, CA into a faithful Roman Catholic family, the future Father John’s studies in education, psychology, and religion took him to the Midwest. There in 1972, he and Dianne were received into the Orthodox Church, married, and Father John was soon ordained to serve the community of Saint Elias in La Crosse, WI.
A hiatus from pastoral service took the young couple to England for some years, where Father John was proud to call Metropolitan Anthony Bloom a mentor and Saint Sophrony his spiritual father. Returning to the United States, he and Prifteresha Dianne put down roots in Massachusetts, establishing together a successful psychology and counseling practice which aided and comforted many, steering them through this life’s turbulence and strife.
Introduced to the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese initially as a fill-in priest, Father John and Prifteresha Dianne recognized swiftly that this temporary service at Saint John the Baptist in South Boston, MA, could be so much more. And for the next thirty-three years, it was. In 1980, Father John requested and received release from the Patriarchate of Antioch and became the pastor of Saint John’s where he became a beloved father of the community, weaving together life-long members, new immigrants, Albanians, converts, and all those who sought a shared family of faith.
Tragically, the parish was decimated by fire in 2013, and he then undertook yet another challenge of helping his people grieve, hope, plan and, ultimately, integrate into the archdiocesan cathedral of Saint George and other local Orthodox parishes. He remained attached to Saint George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral until his falling asleep.
In lieu of flowers, his family and friends request that donations be made in his memory to local food banks and animal shelters.
Services and viewing will take place at Saint Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, located at 535 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA 01609. The Funeral Service for a Priest will begin at 2:00 PM on Thursday June 6, followed by visitation until 5:00 PM. On the next morning, Friday June 7, the Divine Liturgy will be served at 10:00 AM, followed by the procession to the cemetery. For those unable to attend in person, the parish will Live Stream both services.
May Father John’s memory be eternal!